On War & Stuff

Afghan Support for Western War Effort Plummets

“The United States, its NATO allies and the government of Hamid Karzai are losing not just ground in Afghanistan – but also the hearts and minds of the Afghan people”, according to a new public opinion poll by ABC News, the BBC and ARD German TV.

The effects are remarkable: With expectations for security and economic development unmet, the number of Afghans who say their country is headed in the right direction has dived from 77 percent in 2005 to 40 percent now – fewer than half for the first time in these polls.

Oh well. At least those who’ve maintained that the West was always unwelcome in Afghanistan can now see for themselves that we actually started from — get this — 77 percent.